New Banjo Kazooie videos and screens

by Joystiq Staff { Jul 8th 2008 at 9:15PM }

After the Microsoft Gamers Day a while back, Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts was seen by many in the community as too much of a departure from the older formula. The addition of vehicles, parts, and the creation of the former using the latter wasn't exactly traditional to the series' formula. Despite the fact that what we saw and played was fun, we can definitely say that the bits we had time with weren't exactly reminiscent of the N64 days.

Rare looks to have anticipated the outcry and saved much of the more traditional stuff for later reveal. IGN recently got some media out of Rare that seems designed just for that reveal, the first video introduces you to Showdown Town, the game hub, and where most of the more traditional platforming happens. The second video showcases Banjo Land and displays some of the vehicle creation and editing, as well as some of the quirky world exploration. Get watching!

By the way, listen closely around 4:00 into the first video for what could be a possible mention of a long rumored item.

Gallery: Banjo-Kazooie 3

Tags: banjo-kazooie, banjo-kazooie-3, banjo-kazooie-nuts-and-bolts, microsoft, rare

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Cipher DK @ Jul 8th 2008 9:35PM

Grand Theft Banjo

Tony @ Jul 8th 2008 9:49PM

It seems to me that he means "twisting" the controller on the crane with a wrench lol. Not the game controller. I guess we'll see.

webster1990 @ Jul 8th 2008 9:49PM

"move the controller around to twist the box free"
is he using a different controller?

webster1990 @ Jul 8th 2008 9:54PM

oooooh....riiight....
missed the last sentence of the article lol.

007craft @ Jul 8th 2008 10:46PM

the second video showcases exactly what i dont like about the game. Look how damn big those levels are. oversized everything. It makes explorering the game pointless without a speedy vehicle like he uses. I still think they ruined the franchise with thoese dumb vehicles. I mean I am tempted to play when I see the old sfx and characters, but that gameplay looks just beyond boring.

John @ Jul 8th 2008 11:25PM

@ 007craft: What generation games are you playing? This generation, most in-game worlds tend to be verrry big. Which, I think, is a good thing, considering I'm going to payy $60 for this game.

But these videos did settle my uneasiness a little bit. I was concerned that we weren't going to get any of that BK platforming that was so beloved on the N64. Rare seems to be redeeming itself from PDZ and Kameo (the latter was decent for a launch title) with this and the Viva Pinata games. They're becoming one of my favorite developers again. :)

Baligouxji @ Jul 8th 2008 11:49PM

I have to agree. I was worried at first, but wow, this looks like it has tons of potential. Did you notice they did a spin attack mid-air and under water? Maybe the traditional moves aren't completely gone. It seems like the game is going to offer a hell of a lot. I knew the worlds would be pretty big, but the hub world looks huge. I don't think there's any problem with making the worlds bigger, so long as the vehicle portion of the game works well and they make sure that each world is unique and well constructed.

Arnon @ Jul 9th 2008 9:26AM

You know what's even better? I believe they stated that it's possible Viva Pinata 2 and Banjo-Kazooie will only be $39.99 O_O. Which completely makes me jump for both of these games.

dagguis @ Jul 8th 2008 11:37PM

I´ve been a fan since banjo-kazooie for the n64, it was my fave game, and i really have hope on it, and in rare, damn i love viva piñata :D

Banjo&Kazooie FTW!

Lijik @ Jul 8th 2008 11:44PM

The ghoulies joke in the second video had me in stitches, really looking forward to this.

Ian Murray @ Jul 9th 2008 12:25AM

I hate to say it, but Rare is trying to do way too much with this, and it's becoming such a far cry from our beloved BK formula that it's sad.

First of all, the addition of vehicles isn't a feature, it's a pain in the ass.

I'm all for big levels (hell, Click Clock Wood was huge and there were four of them), but forcing you to use some element that feels very gimmicky and cheap is most nauseating.

1000 different vehicle pieces? Really?

This is exactly why I hated DK64. Sure, platforming with one monkey is great. Okay, I have to get all these coins and bananas and weapons and stuff? I'm down with that. Now I have to do it again with FOUR OTHER MONKEYS? Fuck you.

This is essentially the same thing. I don't want to have to ride around in a damn car or submarine or plane. That's not Banjo Kazooie. Make it some crap spinoff game like Viva Piñata did with Party Animals, and THEN come out with a sequel. Don't try to make up for your years of game neglect by putting in all of this extra crap that waters down the fundamentals.

Also, remember when you could just walk into a world after unlocking it? Now you have to collect Jiggies, deposit them into the "gumball machine", withdraw them from the "gumball machine", have them be sucked up into the much larger "gumball machine" that will grant you access to a new "game globe" that you must drive to a "stand" that you put the "game globe" on which will then unlock a door.

But oh no! You don't have the sticky tires! You can't even GET to the world you just unlocked! Perhaps it's one of the 999 other pieces you haven't collected yet! Fun, fun!

Fuck you, Rare.

scrunflio @ Jul 9th 2008 4:51AM

I think that's one of the reasons it is not BK 3 but BK N&B...

By the way, I really like the way the game is looking but would'nt like to play it with another shitty controller, cough*sixaxis*cough

Greg B. @ Jul 9th 2008 9:56AM

Seriously... they got replaced Kazooie's moves with a vehicle? How can anybody be cool with that? Kazooie now carries a freaking wrench... what the fuck is the point? Why doesn't Banjo just carry around the stupid wrench. Banjo and Kazooie work together... why would you replace that with a freaking vehicle? This had better be good, Rare.

craig64 @ Jul 9th 2008 10:38AM

I honestly agree 100% with what you're saying, Ian. I have always been a huge fan of the BK games (I don't even know how many times I went through the first one... but probably 4 or 5 times at least), but I watched these videos and I wasn't impressed at all. Sure the game looks really nice, but it just seems far too gimicky for it's own good. I've had big hopes for this game... but after watching those videos I pretty much lost all interest in this. I hope they release a demo at some point... because from where I'm sitting right now.. I have no interest in this. (Also... unlocking a new world looks unbelievably retarded).

Anticrawl @ Jul 9th 2008 12:49AM

I want to love this new Banjo Kazooie game, but the heavy focus on vehicles makes me wanna puke. Is there anyone out there that can give 360 fans a decent retail platformer title? Other than Naruto: Rise of the Ninja there really are none, and it's sad to think a game based off of a child's anime is the best we have to offer on the 360.

scrunflio @ Jul 9th 2008 7:16AM

Maybe Tomb Raider Anniversary, it's very focused on platforming but I assume that it's not the best the 360 can give (a bit clunky and slow) but, you know.. if you're hungry...

Anticrawl @ Jul 9th 2008 8:04AM

Eh, I'd rather not settle for Tomb Rader, I was never a fan.

I may have to fire up Naruto Rise of the Ninja and make a fool of myself to satisfy my fiending platforming needs.

scrunflio @ Jul 9th 2008 9:50AM

XD I played Naruto and I think it was OK, but I am a fan, so maybe it was only average.

As I said before, if you are that hungry for platforming, it may satisfy you ;) If not... Kameo, the Lego games, N+ for the arcade, Prince of Persia Classic for the arcade too or perhaps Assassins Creed. That's all I know that may fit you, hope you find something to feed your apetite ;)

Anticrawl @ Jul 9th 2008 12:18PM

Have all of those haha, Price of Persia remake was about the closest of any of them.

Viva La Champ @ Jul 9th 2008 12:58AM

You guys are being way to rough on this. Ok they added vehicles. So the game isn't like it was 10 years ago...No games are like they were 10 years ago. they have to add something..Now I've NEVER been a fan of the n64 I was busy playing the ps1 with games like Spyro, and crash bandicoot. Which imo are better then %90 of n64 games I see, but as time go on don't expect games to be the exact way they were before. I'm exited for this game. I think the vehicle feature looks fun. It'll deff give me more replay value then just platforming, and getting bored. The guy playing also hinted that the 360 motion controller will be in use for this. Well he didn't hint it, but he sure did say "Twist the controller xP" I bet you $100 they'll make an announcement for it this E3;)

Anywho stop flaming on this game about vehicle use. You still get to platform, and you still get to play as banjoo. At least you get your nastalga game. Sadly mine are pretty much dead. Spyro, and crashed have went into the worst :'( I hope insomniac could revive that little purple dragon..

Viva La Champ @ Jul 9th 2008 1:00AM

ehhh sorry for the bad grammer guys. I wrote that pretty quick xP

Pixeldaemon @ Jul 9th 2008 2:02AM

WoW! So much more hyped for this game now. I'm going to give it a try, being a fan of the first two.

Sure, it's not the same but they've kept the banjo humor, the character personalities..the settings and the same type of world(although much larger)

The fact you can create vehicles and still keep it a platformer is going to be interesting, for me.

Ghostbuddy @ Jul 9th 2008 2:54AM

Looks interesting. Having bought both previous games, my only problem is Banjo. He looks too chubby, and I liked it better when he was milk chocalate brown opposed to the current dark chocolate.

Seriously though guys, don't be so hard on a game before you try it. Platform games have been pretty much dead for a long time now.

This is Rares attempt to breath to life to a dieing genre.

Im interested, and at very least im going to give it a shot.

Mike @ Jul 9th 2008 3:42AM

Did anyone else notice, he said "Shake the box free" then cut it away from that scene?? E3 cant come soon enough.

Boff @ Jul 9th 2008 5:09AM

I thought it looked amazing. Never having played the previous BK titles I'm full of optimism for this title and look forward to getting my platformer itch scratched!

SadisticHam @ Jul 9th 2008 5:41AM

People are being so tough on this game without even giving it a chance lol, it looks exciting to me.

Definitely giving it a try, their trying something really daring here.

Damo @ Jul 9th 2008 5:59AM

At the 4:33 mark of the second vid there is a weird symbol when the car is about to turn around from the peak of the jump. It almost looks like an arrow telling you to rotate/twist the controller (like in some wii games).

Chase @ Jul 9th 2008 6:15AM

I don't like how vehicles have become the focus for the game. Graphics aside, I don't see how this is a step up from Banjo-Tooie. Platform gaming is going the way of the dinosaurs.

SeneorGoat @ Jul 9th 2008 7:18AM

did anyone else see grunty just standing there with a pen and paper at the jiggy dispenser??

zorniki @ Jul 9th 2008 7:19AM

First: I really believe the "twist the box around" is not meant literally by twisting the 360 controller, but rather by twisting the crane controller in the game world.

Second: Give these guys a break! They´re developing a new BK game everyone was hoping for and all you do is complain about how it doesnt stick to the old formula.
Trying something new doesnt automatically mean it´s evil, you know! Kinda reminds me of all the Too Human haterade thats goin on in the IGN forums...

xFenixKnightx @ Jul 9th 2008 8:22AM

Looks great. I was already looking forward to it and now its a must buy first day purchase for me from the looks of it so far. The graphics are probably the best I've ever seen for a platformer (yes better than R&C) and it looks to be a lot of fun.

FUCK YES. DO WANT.

Next, Banjo Kart Racing please!!!

joey @ Jul 9th 2008 10:09AM

As long as I get to snipe certain Italian plumber I'll be very satisfied.

Tony @ Jul 9th 2008 11:16AM

This team is made up of a lot of people from the original BK titles. I trust what they're doing with this more than I would some fans clamoring that it's not exactly what they want based on some videos.

Let's face it, if this was just a prettier BK2, there'd be just as many people bitching about that.

silentshadowxp @ Jul 9th 2008 12:08PM

i think the long rumored item was gonna be shown in spiral mountain before he cut to the next segment of the video. think about it, kazooie and banjo were fat and kazooie had a 360 controller and couldn't figure out how to use it. then odds are you'll have a tutorial for the new controller which would make them skinny. a controller that's easy to use and keeps you active. but obviously they couldn't show us that yet so they skipped to the next segment of what they wanted to show us. it seems blatantly obvious after seeing this video that a "wiimote" style controller is coming out. i just hope it doesn't ruin 360 games like it ruined nintendo games...

Dralthi @ Jul 9th 2008 1:13PM

*sigh*

Anyone remember when platformers were simple?

The way he was explaining how to get jiggies and parts for your vehicles seems over complicated.

First you have to run all over and collect them, then you have to run all over to dispense them in these machines or drop them off at some place before you can actually put them to use.

Seems a little much to me.